Letters to the Editor

Mental health, 'Street stories'

Concern for Our Mental Health

In response to your article entitled "The A-Team: Mecklenburg's new Mobile Crisis Team saves lives and money" (Nov. 8), and on behalf of the Mecklenburg County Area Mental Health, Developmental Disability, and Substance Abuse Authority, it must be said that positioning members of a mental health crisis team as "in-the-flesh Grim Reapers," that "you don't really want to meet," and that being a mental health professional is a "job you would think no one would want," is disappointing and just plain irresponsible reporting.

Your message to readers is that they need to be afraid of help. We would never imagine sending those signals about fire fighters or police officers in this community -- why must we fear mental health professionals? We all know that one in every five people struggle with mental health challenges, and according to the recent CDC/CMS Youth Risk Behavior Survey, we also know that one in eight adolescents in this community attempted suicide last year alone -- one in eight! Think of how many readers you might have touched by creating a dialogue about seeking mental health assistance, but instead, used your platform to deepen the shame and stigma about mental health services that already exists in this county. The tone of this article only brands those who are intervening in a crisis as people who need to be feared and avoided. Why not instead use our voices to contribute to the health and well-being of others?

-- Jill Scott, Area Mental Health Authority

A Long and Winding Response

When I heard what the cover story was for the Nov. 8 issue ("Street Stories"), I hurried to pick up a copy. I was eager to learn if there was any rhyme or reason for the spider's web that is Charlotte roadways. Why does Tyvola become Fairview then Sardis which turns into Idlewild (which seems to run in all directions); or at which particular twist does Seventh Street turn into Monroe Road; or why does Charlotte have South, East and West Boulevards ... but no North; or what's the deal with the intersection of Providence & Queens and Queens & Providence?

The author, Kathy Reichs, herself a Charlottean, had a great line in one of her books. Advising a friend about navigating the city's roads, it went something like: If you find yourself on any road with the name Queens or Kings in it, get off of it immediately ... many people have been lost and never heard from again there.

The article was nice, if tepid and slightly misnamed. (Must be a Charlottean thing.) The back-story for many of them was interesting, but the current name for most of those streets is fairly obvious. One glaring inaccuracy kept niggling at me: Scotts-Irish. It should be Scots-Irish, those folks with ancestors from Scotland (with one T) and Ireland.

-- Stephen Bratton, Charlotte

Food Faux Pas

I am writing in response to your article "Lessons in Bad Service: A Cautionary Tale," (Sept. 27). As the South Park BRIO Tuscan Grille managing partner, I would like to apologize for the negative dining experience you and your guest received. It is comments such as yours that enable us to know whether or not our standards are being met. We take guest feedback very seriously and I am working with my team to ensure that this experience is not repeated.

We always strive to rise above and beyond our guests' expectations, especially when it comes to the quality of our service and food. I have taken this opportunity to teach and train my staff that the decisions we make impact the guest experience. I realize you did not have the BRIO experience we are so proud to bring to each and every one of our guests. With that being said, I hope you and your guest will give us another chance in the future. We welcome the opportunity to serve you again.

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